Fuel tube drain devices



April 10, 1956 H. A. LINES 2,741,301

FUEL TUBE DRAIN DEVICES Filed April 3, 1952 |||F1| H E??? 2c Z2 l I I l kjllj IG l2 :13 Z726 lull Ulj United States atent FUEL TUBE DRAIN DEVICES Harold A. Lines, Hamden, Conm, assignor to Fluid Systems, Incorporated, Hamden, Comm, a corporation of Connecticut Application April 3, 1952, Serial No. 289,343

11 Claims. (Cl. 158-816) This invention relates to a drain device for fuel tubes, and more particularly to a device for draining the tubes or pipes of an oil burner adjacent the burner tip.

In an oil-burning furnace, it is usual to pump the oil to the burner tip within the furnace where it is consumed. The flow of the oil is ordinarily controlled by a valve which is shut down or opened when it is desired to shut down the burner or to begin operation of the burner. It occurs, however, that when the valve is closed, oil remains in the pipe that leads from the valve to the burner and often gives rise to trouble.

For example, it may be that this oil will flow into the furnace and flood the same, or it may burn imperfectly due to lack of combustion air and foul the burner so that it will not operate properly.

For these and other reasons, it is desirable to provide means for withdrawing or draining the oil from the pipes between the shut-cit valve and the nozzle of the fuel tube when the shut-off valve is closed, and it is desired to discontinue the operation of the furnace.

One object of the invention is to provide means for withdrawing the oil from the pipe between the shut-oil valve and the nozzle when the shut-oil valve is closed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive device which may readily be incorporated in an oil-burning system and which will, when the flow of oil to the nozzle is stopped, drain the oil from that part of the pipe adjacent the nozzle of the fuel tube.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple and economical device which may be readily incorporated in an oil-burning system having a shut-elf valve to control the supply of oil to the nozzle, which device shall operate automatically to drain the oil from that part of the pipe between the nozzle and the shut-elf valve when the latter is closed.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

1n the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a view partly in section showing a mechanism embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of my improved mechanism showing the parts in another position; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the pressure-regulating valve of the fuel system showing a modified form.

To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings an oil supply pipe which admits oil from a pump or other source to the interior of a valve casing 11. This casing may be provided with a partition 12 having a valve opening .13 therein, the opening being controlled by a valve 14 which is actuated by some means such as a solenoid 15.

The opening of valve 14 permits the oil to pass into the portion 16 of the chamber from whence it passes by means of pipes 17 and 18 through a pressure-relief valve 19, which may be of any desired form, to a pipe 20,

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and thence to the tip or nozzle of the .fuel tube represented at 21.

It will be understood that all of the'foregoing elements are of usual construction and well known in the art, and may or may not be of the type shown in illustrating the principles of the invention. As is usual in oil-burning systems, the oil supplied to the valve casing 11 is under a certain amount of pressure. The relief valve 19 is adjusted so that it will not permit oil to flow to the nozzle or tip 21 .until a given pressure has been built up in the line 18 so that oil will be supplied to the burner under pressure determined by the pressure-relief valve.

It is noted that the pipe 17 not only communicates with the pipe 18, but is also received in a' bushing 22 secured in the wall of a casing 23 having a removable end wall 24. Secured to the bushing 22 is a collapsible bellows 25 of the relatively small size, the interior of the bellows being in communication with the bore of the bushing 22 and, therefore, in communication with the pipe 17 and outlet chamber 16 of the valve casing 11. I

The other end of the collapsible bellows 25, that is th end opposite that which is secured to the bushing 22, is movable to permit the bellows to expand or contract, and this movable wall 26 is secured to the movable wall 27 of a collapsible bellows 28, the diameter of which is considerably larger than that of the bellows 25. The end of the bellows 28 opposite the movable wall 27 is secured to the casing 23 and, as shown, may be secured between the end of the casing and the end wall 24. An opening 30 in the movable walls 26 and 27 of the bellows provides communication between them, this opening, however, being relatively small. A compression spring 31 within the bellows 28 normally urges this bellows to an expanded or inflated position, the spring being guided by a pin 32 secured in the end wall 24.

A pipe 33 leads from the pipe 20 adjacent the fuel tube 21 through the end wall 24 of the chamber which is provided with an opening 34 for this purpose. The opening 34 is in communication with the interior of the bellows 28.

The operation of the device is as follows. As illustrated, the valve 14 is closed, and the position of the parts in the casing 23 would be substantially as shown in Fig. 1 as little or no pressure would exist within the bellows 25 and 28, and the spring 31 would hold the latter in its expanded or inflated position, and the former in its collapsed position. When it is desired to initiate operation of the burner, the valve 14 is raised from its seat by the solenoid 15 in the usual manner to permit flow of oil, under pressure from the pump (not shown), to the chamber 16, and thus through the pipe 18 past the pressure-relief valve 19 to the nozzle 21. Oil alsoflows through the pipe 17 and the bushing 22 into the bellows 25.

Pressure is thus built up in the bellows 25 equal to that for which the pressure-relief valve 19 is adjusted, and this pressure causes the expansion of the bellows 25 and the corresponding collapse of the bellows 28 against the action of the compression spring 31. The expansion of the bellows 25 continues until the wall 27 abuts the end of the pin 32. At this time the parts are in the position shown in- Fig. 2, and this is the position occupied when the burner is in operation. Itwill be noted that the small opening 30 is now practically sealed by the end of the pin 32 so that during operation of the burner there will belittle or no continued flow of oil through this opening into the bellows 28.

When it is desired to discontinue operation of the burner, the valve 14 is closed and the supply of. oil to the chamber 16 is shut ofi as 'will alsoibe the supply of 'oil' under pressure to the bellows 25. At this time the spring 31 will come into action and expand the bellows 28 while collapsing the bellows 25. At thistime the oil 3 within the bellows 25 (which is in its expanded position as shown in Fig. 2) will be caused to flow through the opening 30 into the larger bellows 28. Also, the expansion of the bellows 28 will exert suction on the line 33 to'draw the oil through this line and from the line and the burner tip 21. The capacity of the bellows 28 is such that it may not only contain the oil which is drawn from the fuel tube 21, but also that whichis forced out of the bellows through the port 30 as the latter is collapsed from the position shown in Fig. '2 to that shown in Fig. 1.

It will be seen that at this time there will be a quantity of oil within the bellows 28. When, however, the burner is next placed in operation and the bellows 28 again collapsed, this oil, or any excess portion thereof, will be caused to discharge through the pipe 33 into the pipe 20 and thence to the burner tip so that there will be no continued accumulation of oil in'the bellows 28.

In order to initiate expanding movement of the wall '27 of the bellows 28 from its collapsed position, it may be advisable to provide a small bleed opening as at 35 to provide, communication between the interior of the bel lows 28 and the bellows 25 which is not closed by the pin 32. Alternative means could be employed to prevent the opening 30 from being entirely closed by the pin 32 when the bellows 28 is collapsed while also providing for the substantial closure thereof so that no great amount of oil would pass into the bellows 28 during the operation of the burner.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown a modified form of pressure-regulating valve which may be employed in place of the valve 19 and which will provide means 'for venting the bellows 25 when it is collapsed, in other words, provide means for causing the oil in the bellows 25 in its expanded condition, as shown'in Fig. 2, to be delivered to the bellows 28 when the latter is expanded, and causes collapse of the bellows 25. This arrangement would eliminate the necessity of the opening or port 30 which permits the oil to flow directly from one bellows to the other, and would also eliminate the necessity for the bleed opening 35. I

As shown in Fig. 3, a valve casing or housing 37 is provided into which leads the pipe 18 and from which leads the pipe 20 which carries the oil to the fuel tube 21.

The inlet from the pipe 18 to the casing 37 is controlled by a valve 38 having a stem 29 surrounded by a spring 40 which urges the valve toward its seat. Acting upon the upper end of the spring 40 is the disk 41 of the regulating screw 42 threaded into the valve casing 37 so the tension of the spring 40 may be regulated. A restricted opening 43 is provided in the valve 38 so as to allow the oil to pass by the valve when the latter is closed. This, as will be seen, will provide communication through the pipes 20 and 33 between the interior of the bellows 25 and 28 so that when the system is shut down and the spring31 expands the bellows 28 and causes the bellows 25 to contract, the oil in the latter may pass through pipes 17 and 18 through the restricted opening 43 in the valve and through pipes 20 and 33 to the bellows 28.

This restricted opening in effect bypasses the valve 38 so as to provide for the venting of the oil from the bellows 25. This bypass, of course, may be'provided by any restricted passage which would connect the pipes 18 and 20 when the pressure-regulating valve is closed.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of' my invention, it' will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is'capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the claims.

WhatIclaimis: V 1. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube and an oil line connected thereto an'cla nozzle,'oil supply means for delivering oil under pressure to said line, a pressure-relief valve between said supply means and said tube, said valve opening towardthe latter, means for charge of oil from said one bellows when it is collapsed.

2. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube and an oil line connected thereto, oil supply'means for delivering oil under pressure to said line, a pressure-relief valve between said supply means and said tube, said valve opening toward the latter, means for drawingoil from the tube comprising a pair of collapsible bellows having their movable walls secured'together, the interior of one of said bellows being in communication with said supply. means on the supply side of said valve, and the interior of the other bellows being in communication with said line between the pressure-relief valve and the tubenozf zle, means providing communication between said bellows, and a spring urging said other bellows to expanded position.

3. In an oil burner system which includes. a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressure-relief valve between said control valve and the tube, means to drain oil from the supply line adjacent the tube nozzle comprising a collapsible bellows, the interior of which is in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows in communication with the supply line between the pressurerelief valve and the tube, the movable walls of said bellows being secured together, and means providing restricted flowtof oil from one bellows to the other.

4. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supplyline, a pres sure-relief valve between said control valve and'the tube, means to drain oil from the supply line comprising a collapsible bellows, the interior of which is in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows in communication. with the supply line between the pressure-relief valve and the tube, the movable walls of said bellows being secured together, means providing restricted communication between said bellows, and .a spring urging said second bellows to expanded position. V I

5. In an oil burner system which includes'a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressure-relief valve between said control valve and the tube, means 'to drain oil from the supply line comprising a collapsible bellows, the interior of which is in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows in communication with the supply line between the pressure-relief valve and the tube, the movable walls of said bellows being secured together, means for venting said first bellows into the second when the first is collapsed, a spring urging said second bellows to expanded position, and said second bellows being of larger diameter than the first bellows.

6. In an oil burner system which includesa fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressure-relief valve between said control valve and the tube, means to drain oil from the supply line adjacent the tube comprising a casing, a collapsible bellows within the between said bellows through the movable walls thereof.

7. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressurerelief valve between said control valve and the tube, means to drain oil from the tube comprising a casing, a collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed to the casing, the interior of said bellows being in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed thereto, said second bellows being in communication with the supply line between the pressurerelief valve and the tube and having its movable wall secured to the movable wall of the first bellows, means providing communication between said bellows through the movable walls thereof, and a spring urging said second bellows to expanded position.

8. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressure-relief valve between said control valve and the tube, means to drain oil from the fuel tube comprising a casing, 21 collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed to the casing, the interior of said bellows being in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed thereto, said second bellows being in communication with the supply line between the pressurerelief valve and the tube and having its movable wall secured to the movable wall of the first bellows, means providing communication between said bellows through the movable walls thereof, said second bellows being of larger diameter than said first bellows.

9. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube, an oil supply line leading to said tube, a control valve controlling the delivery of oil to said supply line, a pressure-relief valve between said control valve and the tube, means to drain oil from the supply line adjacent the tube comprising a casing, a collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed to the casing, the interior of said bellows being in communication with the supply line between said valves, a second collapsible bellows within the casing and having one end fixed thereto, said second bellows being in communication with the supply line between the pressure-relief valve and the tube and having its movable wall secured to the movable wall of the first bellows, means providing communication between said bellows through the movable walls thereof, said lastnamed means comprising an opening through said walls, and means restricting the effective size of said opening when said second-named bellows is collapsed.

10. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube and an oil line connected thereto, oil supply means for delivering oil under pressure to said line, a pressure-regulating valve between said supply means and said line with the high pressure thereof toward the supply means, means for draining oil from the fuel tube comprising a pair of axially aligned, oppositely acting, collapsible bellows having their movable walls secured together, the interior of one of said bellows being in communication with said oil supply means on the high pressure side of said valve to be subject to the pressure in the supply means and the other being in communication with said oil line adjacent the fuel tube, spring means tending to expand said lastnamed bellows to draw oil from the fuel tube, and means providing communication between said bellows through the movable walls thereof.

11. In an oil burner system which includes a fuel tube and an oil line connected thereto, oil supply means for delivering oil under pressure to said line, a pressure-regulating valve between said supply means and said line with the high pressure side thereof toward the supply means, means for draining oil from the fuel tube comprising a pair of axially aligned, oppositely acting, collapsible bellows having their movable walls secured together, the interior of one of said bellows being in communication with the oil supply means on the high pressure side of said valve and the other being in communication with said line adjacent the fuel tube, spring means tending to contract said one bellows and expand the other bellows, means for venting said one bellows when it is collapsed, and said other bellows being of greater size than said one bellows.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,248,395 Taper et al July 8, 1941 2,376,383 Richards May 22, 1945 2,468,960 Case May 3, 1949 2,663,363 Krautter et al Dec. 22, 1953 2,685,919 Plass et al Aug. 10, 1954 

